Too old

Okay ladies, I want to start by saying that I am a very busy person and will not always update in a timely manner or be able to answer as many questions as I'd like. I am a single mom of three boys, I work, and go to school!! :) (Who does that right!?!? LOL) However, I know that without the help of many of the wonderful women on realself I NEVER would have been able to make an informed decision. So thank you to all of you who wrote reviews. Nevertheless, I am very goofy and when I get all of the important info out of the way I'm sure my review will be quite entertaining :) Again, I am very busy so please please please do not get upset if I do not respond right away, I will do my best. I usually keep to myself. I am not shy at all just prefer to open up to like-minded people like myself to avoid wasting time on bozos. Also, it may be beneficial to share my experience with others going through the same thing. Oh and before I begin, I am looking for a buddy, so let me know if you are interested, just don't be crazy or a "hypochondriac" lol...........im serious. I will be staying at Yasmins Recovery House from September 15th-25th, already made my desposit.
Now down to business, the good stuff. My doctor is going to be Dra Duran in the Dominican Republic. I am having a tummy tuck, Brazilian butt lift, liposculpture, and fat transferred to my chin to fill in a small cleft. (I HATE IT!! LOL and its not even that noticeable.) From what I've read, getting in touch with Dra Duran is difficult. To answer this question now before I get a million girls asking lol my answer is I emailed her on a Saturday afternoon. (Chicago time, eh about 7pm) and I got response by 10pm. As suggested by other women, the key is really catching her when she isn't busy. Because a few months later when I tried to email a question it did take her quite a long time to get back to me. I used google translate and a Spanish speaking friend to write the email in Spanish. I included what procedures I was looking to have, current hemo level, height, weight, the date of my last c-section, and the fact that my blood type is O-negative. I also included pictures of me from every angle. (Front, back, left, right and chin close up)Getting an answer at her office is difficult however, every time I have gotten an answer it was usually right after lunch time. About 1:45-2:00 Dominican time. Elizabeth does speak English and was very nice to me when I called. Durans current deposit requirement is $250.
I will be staying a Yasmin's Recovery House. Yasmin speaks English as well, she is nice and straight down to business. She answers all questions in depth and responds very quickly. She even emails you a list of everything you'll need after you make your deposit. Based off of other reviews, Durans email, and Yasmins email, I will include the list of items I am bringing with and will need. And by all means if I'm trippin' or forget something please let me know! Here it is...Talk to you ladies later...


Sandals
Tennis Shoes
Maxi Dresses (3)
Large T-Shirts (5)
Wife Beaters (3)
Sweat Pants (1)
Large Granny Panties (5)
Socks (1 Pair)
Bras (3)
Chucks (LOTS AND LOTS!!!)
Medical Gloves (2/3 medium boxes)
Nursing Pillow that has adjustable Velcro (2 of them. Will post of a pic of the one I bought, its unique)
Disinfecting Wipes (3 medium containers)
Baby Wipes (2 big bags/3 boxes)
Gauze Pads (1 box small, 1 box big)
Alcohol Wipes (1 small box)
Waterproof Medical Tape (1 Long roll or two small rolls..NOT GENERIC BRAND)
Bacitracin Cream
Bactine Spray
Triple Anti-biotic Cream (who knows which kind will be the most comfortable)
Maxi Pads (LOTS AND LOTS AND MORE!! I have been told to bring at least 100, I bought 3 packs of overnights, 3 boxes of thin ones)
Water Pills
Miconazole/Monistat
Arnica Cream (I bought 4, 2 oz containers, its expensive, and doesn't go a long way, I tried some)
Arnica Tablets (1 bottle)
Omeprazole Magnesium (1 bottle, heard you get upset stomach from so many meds and
supplements and I believe Duran prescribes this as well BUT I COULD
BE WRONG!!)
The next few I name, I will only bring as many tablets as needed for my stay...
*****
Bromelain Supplements
Geritol Tablets
Iron Tablets
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Folic Acid
******
Stool Softener (1 bottle)
Tylenol Sleep Aid (1 Bottle)
Anti-Bacterial Soap (1 Bottle)
EZ Pee (1)
Then of course the obvious,
Brush
Hair ties
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Mouthwash
Deodorant
Shampoo+Conditioner (you will only be washed with wipes while there but if they are willing to
wash my hair after all that sweating I'd like them too!)
Hypoallergenic Lotion (In case I run out of arnica)

A few other things I would like to suggest bringing is
A compact Sentry safe ($20 on Walmart.com, its a combination lock and can fit phone,
wallet/ID, money, and other small needs inside)
Small locks for suitcase (you can store the keys in sentry safe)
A padlock for valuable items left at recovery house during surgery
Receipt of 250 deposit to doctor of your choice
Copy of your doctors email with qoute
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...........MONEY.......money for....
Remainder of surgery
Post-Op Medications/RX
First garment/faja
Remainder of Recovery house stay (if staying in one)
Citizen Card ($10)
Compression socks (Duran told me $35 for those but that doesn't mean they cant go up or differ from doctor to doctor)
Massages (ranging from $25-30 a massage, usually, two a day is recommended beginning on 3rd/4th day, I THINK, so I'm bringing $300 for these)
Medical Insurance (REQUIRED, $130)
Emergency Blood Transfusion (Im bringing $300 for this, I have heard many different rates but the most consistent being 150 per transfusion, not sure how many pints)
And of course don't forget to dr in that plane ticket!!

One last thing ladies, I have been taking my vitamins since March. Not saying that this is necessary or that you have to do this but starting them as early as possible avoids low low drops in hemo levels during the time that mean ol' red face lady visits every month and keeps you from rushing and wondering and hoping and wondering and hoping. Its also helps you get into the habit of taking them. Its better to know for sure. If your hemo is not high enough you WILL GO HOME WITHOUT A BANGING BODY!! NO ONE wants to do that! I have been taking them for 3 months and my hemo is a 15! All I am taking is Iron, Folic Acid, Geritol, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C. That does not mean other people may not need a blood builder or other supplements, definitely talk with your doctor if you cannot seem to bring it up!

Okay that's all folks.......at least for now.........ill BE BACK!

Hey ladies,
This is me fufilling my promise to stay in touch as much as possible. So I've been thinking. When is the best time to buy my plane ticket?! Two months ago they were 430. Then two weeks ago they were 550. Now, these jokers want 440!! Uggghhh. Grrr! I want the cheapest price but at the same time don't want to wait sooooo long that they sky rocket again. Also, I have to take into account of the possibility of something unforeseen happening to force me to change my date and then having to pay to change my flight! Ugh decisions decisions!
Also, a word of wisdom. Took me three months to realize this... If you want something too bad, you'll screw it up.

This is so true. I've wanted this surgery so bad that I've completely wrapoed my mind around nothing but a new butt lol and less over hanging skin! Sorry lol just hate it that much! Well, now I find myself less productive because I waste time on here!! Lol looking and stalking and reading and looking! I had to stop myself to ensure I get enough sleep! Well if I did get back on the ball I'll be giving up my surgery for having to pay bills because I'm not being the best I can around here! So again ladies, learn to put it down. I know you want it right now! I do too! But until you can honestly tell yourself, look it'll happen when its time and actually come to terms with that. You'll be much better off and you'll go into it with less anxiety. Cause I can admit one thing. I'm scared as can be thinking about the pain afterwards. And I'm even more scared about anesthesia. Not because I don't know it's safe but for two reasons. The spots in my back from my three spinal blocks from c sections hurts me all the time and I'm scared one day somebody will mess up. Two, because I have had bells Palsy three times in my life, and although you cannot really tell unless I point it out, it's scary to know I only have 95% of movement regained on one side and 98% on the other. So the thought of not being able to move my own muscles is scary. Anyone else feel this way?!?
Also, I will eventually upload some before pics. Promise.

Okay, so I bought my airline ticket. I know one of the top reasons you're reading this right now, yes you, specifically, is to figure out how much this is going to cost you so having said that I will let you know... I bought my ticket 5 weeks before my leave date and my ticket from Chicago to Santo Domingo was 496 including trip protection. I found the cheapest flight on cheapoair.com and their prices easily compared to Expedia's, I think it's ran by the same company. Either way, I found one is not cheaper than the other necessarily it's really just a matter of who has cheap tickets left so check all of them! I'm flying with us airways and american airlines, again, one in the same. I still need to call and get wheelchair service for the way back. I heard a lot of girls are getting stopped by customs and I don't want that problem. No sir-e-bob! I figure I'll look less suspicious if I am in a wheelchair. I'm also afraid to call the airline before I leave to tell them I'll only need it for the way back, don't need them asking questions and not allowing me to fly. Any advice is appreciated. Do any of you vets think I could walk the airport after a Timmy tuck and bbl!? Lol

Also, BIG WORD OF ADVICE, if you want a buddy, not only should you start looking early but... wait until you find one to make a decision on an RH together. The reason I say this is because you may find the coolest most desirable person that compliments you in every way and has the same personality just to find out that finances, personal preferences, or DOWN PAYMENTS MADE AT ANOTHER RH (like what i did, geez, wish i could make these letters smaller like i can make them bigger.....), keep you from being recovery buddies. And that will make you so very sad. So make sure, if you can, to wait and make a decision together!

Until next time.... ;)